Comparisons and conclusion
We now know that the OCZ modules can run at their prescribed settings. The question is just how they stack-up in relation to the competition. The premium DDR RAM sector has a number of companies producing high specification modules. Two of these are Corsair and Mushkin respectively. We'll see how the OCZ measures up against two sets of PC3500 RAM. A little unfair, perhaps, as OCZ have a line of PC3500 memory, too.
Two settings have been chosen. Firstly, the super-harsh setting of 2-5-2-2, then a relaxed setting of 2-7-3-3.
All the modules were given 2.75v load voltage and had to pass an entire loop of 3DMark 2001SE in order to be ratified at a certain speed. That's not total stability, it's just some indication of where their ceiling lies. Testing was undertaken on an Asus P4C800 Deluxe Canterwood motherboard. The board has run up to 300FSB in testing, so we were sure that the modules would be the limiting factor.
And now 2-7-3-3
The modules appear to be partial to a tRCD of 3 clocks. If we're directly comparing these modules to the competition, we'd put them a notch about both Corsair's and Mushkin's standard PC3200 offerings and a touch below their very best RAM.
Conclusion
First things first. The modules do exactly what they're specified to. The 2-2-3-6 timings caused no problems when tested in both AMD and Intel dual-channel motherboards. We're still not sure how valid certain manufacturers' claims are regarding optimisations for dual channel. All we can say is that the OCZ PC3200 EL DDR behaved impeccably through arduous testing. A specified tRCD of 2 clocks, a la Corsair TwinX, would have made these modules special. As it is, they're perfectly competent for DC use. At the time of writing, the bottom has fallen out of DDR pricing. We've also reviewed a dual-channel PC3200 kit from TwinMOS. Those were priced at around the £65 mark. With OCZ's fancy heatspreaders (that look a million dollars, BTW), reputation and better SPD settings, the £100 asking price is too steep for our liking. They would have been recommended at a lower price point or if they ran with a stock tRCD of 2 clocks. At the expected £100, though, they're a little too heavy on the pocket.
Bottom line - Amazing looks, decent performance at a relatively high cost. A little cheaper and they would have been recommended.
